Why You Should Never Skip Exercise: Coming Back After Illness
Taking a break from exercise might seem like the right choice when you're feeling under the weather, but as many fitness enthusiasts discover, prolonged inactivity can lead to surprising discomfort. One fitness enthusiast recently shared their personal journey of returning to exercise after a brief illness, highlighting important lessons about consistency and perseverance in maintaining physical health.
After feeling sick for several days and skipping workouts, they experienced unexpected stiffness and pain throughout their body. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” they noted. “I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
The Importance of Pushing Through Discomfort
Despite still experiencing some symptoms including headache and congestion, they made the decision to get moving again with a short 20-minute workout. This determination highlights an important principle in fitness: sometimes we need to gently push our bodies rather than waiting until we feel completely recovered.
“It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight,” they observed. This simple truth resonates with many fitness enthusiasts who understand the challenge of maintaining progress. The key, according to this experience, is developing mental discipline that allows you to maintain control over your choices.
Taking Control of Your Fitness Journey
The fundamental message shared was about taking command of your fitness journey: “What you need to do is to push your body. Force it. Don't let your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth.”
This philosophy emphasizes the mental aspect of fitness that many neglect. Physical transformation begins with mental discipline—saying no when necessary and pushing through resistance when your body wants to remain sedentary.
Starting Small for Lasting Results
For those intimidated by intense workout regimens, there was an encouraging reminder that fitness doesn't require professional-level performance from the start: “You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds… little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This incremental approach makes fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point. The focus should be on consistency rather than intensity, especially when rebuilding strength after illness or inactivity.
The Connection Between Health and Achievement
Perhaps the most profound insight shared was about the relationship between health and accomplishment: “When you are in good health, you can do well. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
This perspective frames exercise not as merely a physical activity but as a foundation for all other achievements in life. Good health enables us to pursue our ambitions with energy and focus.
As we all navigate our fitness journeys, these reminders serve as valuable encouragement to prioritize movement, even when it's challenging. By taking control of our choices and committing to consistent exercise—even if it's just a short session—we can maintain the physical foundation necessary for a fulfilling, active life.
